The Last-Chance Maverick

by Christyne Butler

His fingers tightening on the wine bottle, he pushed that thought firmly from his head, and continued walking. The outside light came on automatically as the sun had gone down almost an hour ago and dusk had fallen over the distant hills.

  Determined to think only about the evening ahead, he reminded himself the good thing about a Halloween party two weeks before the actual holiday was that costumes weren’t necessary. At least not according to Vanessa, who’d tracked him down this afternoon between meetings to ask if he was interested in going to a party with her tonight.

  Still, she’d had a mischievous gleam in her eyes when she talked about their plans that he found very sexy.

  Hell, everything about Vanessa was sexy.

  Eager to see her, even though it’d only been just a few hours since they’d been together at the resort, he knocked on the door.

  “Come in.”

  The words came faintly from the other side and stepped inside, quickly closing the door behind him to shut out the cool night air.

  “What the...”

  His voice faded as his senses were attacked from every angle.

  First was the pale purple radiance that filled the room. Mixed with the firelight from the woodstove and flicking candles perched on every surface imaginable, the inside of the cabin glowed.

  The scent of sandalwood and vanilla surrounded him, but the familiar flowery essence that was all Vanessa was there, too. He inhaled deeply, enjoying the mixture while soft jazz music played in the background.

  His gaze then took in the spider webs, jack-o’-lanterns, miniature ghosts and skeletons scattered around the room before being drawn to the colorful silk floor cushions that rested on top of a plush, faux, white bearskin rug. All the elements combined to give the room the appearance of a haunted gypsy encampment or harem.

  “‘Step into my parlor,’ said the spider to the fly.”

  Her soft words shifted his focus to the bewitching creature that stood on the other side of the room.

  Vanessa.

  Leaning against the doorway that led to the back of the cabin, she was in the shadows. There was enough light to see she wore something lacy and silky and looked so damn beautiful his breath caught in his throat.

  She smiled and turned a bit to one side allowing the flowing material to sensually slide open, revealing a bare leg from her toes to her hip.

  Any plans for breathing vanished.

  Of course, other parts of his body were working just fine and responded instantly to the sight before him, including his brain, which quickly put two and two together and came up with an amazing night ahead.

  He’d been thinking about being with her like this for a while. Hell, from the moment they’d met. It finally hit him today that he’d been using his past relationships, including marriage—and how poorly they’d ended—as a barrier between himself and Vanessa. Which wasn’t fair to either of them. He cared about this woman, enjoyed being with her. Vanessa felt the same. Tonight was proof of that. He should’ve known that when he balked at making the first move, Vanessa would take matters into her own hands.

  In spectacular fashion.

  “Please tell me the party is here tonight,” he said, grateful for the ability to speak. “And that it’s just the two of us.”

  “You don’t mind?”

  One corner of his mouth rose into a grin. “No, I don’t mind.”

  “Why don’t you put that in the kitchen and then join me back here.” She stepped farther into the room, gestured at the forgotten wine in his grip. “I’ve already got dessert waiting.”

  He was looking at dessert. The sweetest concoction known to man.

  Jonah had forgotten all about the bottle, surprised he’d managed to hold on to it all this time. He did what she asked, unable to tear his gaze from her while walking into the kitchen.

  When she moved into the light from the woodstove, the lace on the top half of her slinky outfit turned into intricate tattoo-like images on her skin. She then sat on the rug and the material pooled around her legs.

  His blood turned to fire. Anticipation filled him and he found himself glad he dressed casually, leaving his shirt untucked as his ability to hide his body’s response to her was gone.

  He left the wine on the counter and headed back into the living room. Stepping in front of the quilted chair, he noticed for the first time a tray resting on the couch that held a plate of fresh cut fruit and bowl of whipped topping.

  This was getting better and better.

  “Why don’t you take those off before you sit down?” Vanessa gently tapped one toe of his cowboy boots with the end of an empty wineglass. “You’ll probably be more comfortable.”

  Sitting in the chair, he did as she requested, again unable to take his eyes off her as she filled two glasses from a chilled bottle of wine on the floor next to her.

  He joined her on the rug, his back to the woodstove and one hand braced just past her hip, his knee almost touching hers.

  She twisted back to face him and held out a glass, the liquid sloshing around inside gave away the slight trembling of her fingers.

  Glad he wasn’t the only one feeling some nerves here.

  Instead of taking the drink, he leaned forward and rested his fingertips against her neck, feeling her pulse jump at the base of her neck.

  “Aren’t you thirsty?” Vanessa asked.

  Her question had his gaze locked on her mouth.

  “Parched.” His thumb moved to her lower lip, lightly brushing back and forth.

  A low moan slipped past and he gave into temptation. Capturing her mouth with a gentleness he labored for when all he wanted was to consume her, body and soul, the way she’d done to him, he kissed her.

  When she met the pressure of his lips by opening hers and slanting her head to one side, he slipped his hand farther into her hair, fisting her curls. Groaning as their tongues slid against each other, he tasted the softness, heat and unspoken promise of an unforgettable night for the both of them.

  He held his desire in check and enjoyed her taste, warm and minty. Finally, he pulled back, reluctant to part from her as he pressed lingering kisses to her mouth, chin and lastly the tip of her nose.

  Vanessa remained perfectly still, wineglasses in her hands, eyes closed. “Hmmm, that was nice.” Her voice was slightly breathless.

  Jonah relieved her of one of the glasses while he took the time to study her attire up close. The pale pink of her negligée looked almost translucent against her skin, except for where the dark shadows of her nipples pressed against the fabric.

  He took a sip of wine to soothe his very dry throat. “I agree.”

  She opened her eyes. “You hungry?”

  A light blush filled her cheeks as she read his answer in his gaze. “I mean for dessert,” she added.

  He nodded.

  Vanessa turned back and grabbed a strawberry, dipped it into a bowl of whipped cream and then held it out to him.

  Jonah opened his mouth and she placed it inside. The cool, tart juiciness of the fruit mixing with the topping reminded him of the beautiful woman in front of him.

  He swallowed the tasty morsel and said, “My turn.” Reaching past her, he brushed her bare shoulder, his hand lingering against her warm skin for a moment as he studied the plate. “Have a favorite?”

  “Surprise me.”

  He grinned and picked up one of the green slices and followed her example.

  “Ah, kiwi.” She spied the offering when he held it in front of her. “Why’s that?”

  “Because it’s the most unique. Just like you.”

  Vanessa smiled, and then opened her mouth. He placed the fruit on her tongue. She closed her lips, capturing his thumb and lightly sucking away the dollop of cream there.

  Every muscle in his body tigh
tened as she lightly nipped at the end of the digit before letting him go. He thought about leaning in for another kiss, but the rumble from her stomach stopped him.

  “Is someone hungry?” he asked when Vanessa slapped a hand to her middle. “Maybe we should bring the food over here before you waste away to nothing.”

  “No chance of that, but yes, I skipped dinner.”

  Jonah put down his wine and then moved the fruit plate and the bowl of whipped cream, setting both between them on the rug. “Dig in, darling. You’re going to need your strength.”

  “Am I?”

  He read a hint of uncertainty in her eyes. His past behavior when they’d been this close, this intimate, the cause. “Oh, yeah. No one’s leaving early or falling asleep tonight. Unless that’s what you want.”

  Vanessa grinned, the playfulness returning. She grabbed a hunk of watermelon. “Then perhaps you should build up your energy, as well.”

  He liked the sound of that.

  They ate, feeding each other and themselves, until most of the dessert was gone and they were each on a second glass of wine. There were lots of kisses and laughter and Jonah found he liked the slow pace of the evening.

  Both of them knew where this evening was heading. The slow build of anticipation only whetted their appetite for each other. He was so aware of her, the delicious heat that hummed in his veins made him tight and hot every time he caught her looking at him.

  When she lifted a hand to his chest, her fingers playing with the snaps on his shirt, he remembered how she’d tugged them open in his truck, before pulling him down over her as she laid back against the seat....

  The sound of the first snap coming undone sent an arrow of pure desire straight to his groin. Her feather-light caress and the scrape of her nails against his skin as she opened a few more rocked him to his core. By the time she reached the last one, the back of her hand was tantalizingly chafing the hard ridge pressing against the button fly of his jeans.

  Unable to resist any longer, he brushed his fingertips along the tiny strap holding the lacy material against her breasts. Following their path downward, he palmed her fullness, his thumb rubbing lightly over one rigid nipple, causing her to shiver and ease from his touch.

  He dropped his hand. “You cold?”

  She shook her head, drawing her hand away from him, as well. “No, although I am slightly less clothed than you.”

  Yes, she was and even with his shirt now fully open, he was burning from the inside out.

  Still, he asked, “Should I add another log to the fire?”

  She bit down on her bottom lip for a moment. “If you want.”

  Jonah rose and tended to the woodstove, thinking maybe Vanessa was looking for a moment or two alone.

  To rethink her decision?

  Stopping now would just about kill him, but he meant what he said earlier. She was calling all the shots tonight. It wasn’t like this was the last chance they’d have to make love.

  There was plenty of time to take things to the next level. They had until the holidays before the project was finished and he left again.

  Ignoring the sudden tightening in his chest, Jonah returned to where Vanessa sat and saw she’d moved the dishes and wineglasses back to the tray on the couch and was reaching toward the lamp on the end table.

  Still standing, he leaned over her, snapped off the light, extinguishing the purple glow that he guessed came from a special lightbulb. Their hands bumped, knocking over a wicked-looking witch, complete with a tiny broom and a pair of what looked like monkeys with wings.

  “Oh, jeez, could I be any more a klutz?”

  “Nope, my fault,” he said, straightening her things before joining her on the floor again. “I’m guessing decorating this place took up most of your afternoon.”

  “I think I bought out the craft store in Kalispell.” She looked around the room. “Halloween has always been my favorite holiday. Do you like it?”

  He again let his gaze slowly travel the length of her body, taking in every lace-and silk-covered curve laid out before him.

  He half growled, half laughed. “Oh, yeah, I like it.”

  Her laugh was sexy and sweet at the same time as she returned her focus to him. “I was talking about the decorations.”

  Reaching out, he wrapped a finger around the silk cord that held together the sheer lace panels that met at the dip in her cleavage. One gentle tug and the loop would disappear.

  He managed not to test that theory. Yet. “So was I.”

  “I want you, Jonah.” A dark heat filled her eyes. “I guess that’s pretty evident, from everything that’s happened so far, but did I go overboard? You know, with planning all of this? Did I push too much?”

  Jonah’s need for her slammed into his chest the moment she said aloud she wanted him. He’d been a fool not to take everything she’d offered before this night. The fact that she was worried she’d overstepped somewhere along the way made him determined to make everything from this moment on, perfect for her.

  “How about you let me take over the pushing from here?”

  * * *

  Oh, that sounded good to her.

  Vanessa had been second-guessing herself from the moment she started placing each pumpkin, spiderweb and candle. Not to mention the sexy nightie she’d been so sure was perfect after buying it in a mad rush of shopping this afternoon.

  The room did look great, exactly as she pictured it in her head when she’d come up with this crazy idea. When Jonah had finally arrived, she’d stood quietly, watching his reaction.

  As hard as she’d worked toward this new “be bold, be happy” lifestyle, there was a part of her that was still the introverted artist who found comfort in being alone.

  His surprise at the cabin’s decor had turned to sensual awareness the moment he’d spotted her. The naked longing in his gaze gave her a boost of confidence that had lasted through dessert. It allowed her to be brave enough to get him a bit closer to being as undressed as she was when she easily unsnapped his shirt, revealing his chest, lightly dusted with fine curls and an impressive six-pack of abs.

  But then she’d given into the nagging doubt that maybe she’d gone a bit too far with her plan. Did she seem desperate? That maybe, despite his obvious arousal, he was only here because...

  Of what?

  The man had come right out and said he wanted to be with her and he’d been the one to kiss her first—

  “Boy, you’ve got a lot of thinking going on up here.” Jonah pushed back her curls, his fingers lightly massaging her temple. “Want to share?”

  She smiled, hoping it concealed her confusion. “Are you kidding? I can’t even make sense of the craziness in my head. I wouldn’t want to put you through that.”

  “Maybe we should leave the thinking for another time, then.” He whispered the words against her lips.

  When she nodded in agreement, he kissed her.

  This time he devoured her mouth in a way that was wet and deep, powerful and seductive. He leaned into her, his hand moving to the back of her neck, offering support as he pushed her gently backward.

  She grabbed onto his shirt, fisting the two sides as she returned his kisses, arching her body until her lace-covered breasts met the heat of his skin.

  He groaned, his mouth breaking free to move along her jaw to her neck, nibbling and kisses here and there as he gently lowered her to the softness of the rug.

  Wanting nothing between them, she reached for the knot between her breasts that would allow the material covering her to fall away, but Jonah’s hand was already there.

  He pulled and tugged and then cool air flowed over her skin before it was replaced with the heat of his mouth closing over her nipple.

  She hissed, dragging in the outdoorsy scent that clung to him dee
p inside her, tunneling her fingers into his hair to hold him in place as his lips and tongue moved over her.

  A deep pang of longing filled her, a sharp edge of pleasure that drove straight to her core making her wet and ready for him. She moved against his jean-clad leg where it laid between hers.

  “Jonah.”

  Yanking his shirt down over his wide shoulders, she was impatient to have it gone completely, but he ignored her, moving from one breast to the other, licking and sucking and teasing, his fingers stroking the dampness left behind.

  His hand then moved, slowly trailing over her belly until he cupped her, brushing back and forth across the lace that covered her, but couldn’t conceal the damp evidence of what he was doing to her. His fingers slipped inside her panties, touching her while his mouth never left her breast.

  “Jonah, please.”

  She felt him smile against her skin as he slowly moved both his hand and his mouth away, but only for a moment as he pushed the silky material of her nightie to either side, baring her completely to him. Then his mouth returned, his tongue leaving a wet trail behind, pausing when he reached the edge of her matching panties.

  Vanessa waited, wondering if he would see, ready to show him how easy it would be, but then she felt his mouth against her hip. The bow on the side releasing as he tugged the string holding it in place with his teeth. The material fell away and then he was at the center of her, nudging her to open wider to him as he dipped his head. He kissed, stroked and teased as one finger, then two, dipped inside her.

  She gasped, already feeling the tightening deep within as her passion rose, right on the edge. He loved her in ways she’d never experienced before, ways that told her just how much he meant to her, in her heart where it truly mattered.

  A part of her wanted to push him away, wanted them to be together when each of them reached that moment. Then, as if he read her thoughts, Jonah pulled back, rising to his knees. She watched as he yanked off his shirt. He then got to his feet, making quick work of his jeans and briefs and socks, his eyes never leaving hers.

  But hers did move away. She wanted to see all of him, his wide shoulders, lean hips, the proof of his desire for her. He stood in the glow from the fire, the hard planes of his body as strong and sure as the mountains right outside. Then she returned to meet his stare, so powerful when he gazed down at her it caused a sting to bite at the edges of her eyes.